Open fire ban rescinded in Kamloops, Okanagan, but local bylaws still in effect

Effective noon today, Sept. 18, bans on open fires will be rescinded in the Kamloops and Coastal fire centres. (Black Press file photo)

Cool, wet weather has led the Kamloops Wildfire Centre and the Coastal Wildfire Centre to rescind bans on open burning.

But that does not necessarily mean that’s OK to start burning.

As of Wednesday at noon, Category 2 and 3 open fires were permitted as the risk of wildfires decreases by the Wildfire Centre.

“This does not apply to any area that is covered by local bylaw, which is pretty much everywhere,” said Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Chief Ian Cummings.

“Nobody is allowing open burning that I know of right now.”

Category 2 bans include restrictions on fireworks, burning barrels, and burn piles under two metres high by three metres wide.

“Most of them (areas) don’t allow burning until Nov. 1,” said Cummings.

A burn registration is needed to light a Category 3 burn – any fire larger than two metres high by three metres wide – which can be obtained by calling 1 888 797-1717.

Of course, general regulations still apply: never burn in strong wind conditions, extinguish fires before abandoning them, keep fires away from nearby branches and avoid conducting Category 2 or Category 3 burns when venting conditions are “Poor” or “Fair” (those definitions can be found on the provincial government Air, Land and Water webpage).